Dunedin's Oktoberfest offers three days of food, fun

DUNEDIN — How many bratwursts can you eat?

There are prizes for the guys and gals who can eat the most sausages at Dunedin's 19th annual Oktoberfest today, Saturday and Sunday at Highlander Park.

The festival features three days and nights of music, dancing and live entertainment, a whole slew of carnival games and contests, 25 rides, and a big Ferris wheel.

Lynn Wargo, president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, said the Oktoberfest is organized and operated by Williams Entertainment for the city and is "quite a production."

"It's a fun event outside under those beautiful trees at the park," she said. The festival "has something for all ages."

For some, the best part of the merriment is the traditional Oktoberfest fare and beer.

German-style food includes bratwurst, sauerbraten marinated beef, sauerkraut, potato salad, red cabbage and desserts such as apple strudel and Black Forest cherry-chocolate cake.

Beer choices feature Warsteiner pilsner, a pale lager; Dunkel, a dark lager; and the sweet, brown Oktoberfest beer brewed in the spring and served in the fall.